My Bouquet of life with kids, making, baking, sewing, crochet and all things vintage ofcourse

Thursday, 29 August 2013

Ciao

We are back and we had the most wonderful two and a bit weeks away in Italy. I feel so lucky that we spent time with my folks in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and my heart yearns to go back and also to be with my parents again. Why is it that when you get older there is this great need to have time with your parents, am I alone on this? For me, I would love to have mum around the corner so we can natter over cups of tea and whilst creating and also for our kids to spend time with their grandparents, it is such a special relationship. Fortunately I did have these two very special weeks and Ma & Pa (I know you read this!) you are both very special and I love you!

I generally embrace the idea of coming home, there is something special about being in your own space and bed, but this time, I could have happily stayed in Italy forever, a girl can but dream. The first sight that greeted us were our newly painted doors and windows and yes it made me smile, it's finally done and I am so pleased with the end result. This was followed by a very overgrown garden that's in dying need of some loving hands. The pesky weeds have been having regular parties here in our absence, as to be expected, and it most certainly looks like they've been having far too much fun.

There is something special about walking through your front door when you get back and once I was inside, it felt good to be home and although I was faced with washing and unpacking and a zillion other jobs, there is always a little part of me that wants to hold on to that relaxed feeling that somehow only holidays can bring. The reality, it didn't last past a couple of minutes, but we are slowly getting back in the swing of things. I have made some progress with catching up on blog reading, with a little more to go, so sorry if I haven't gotten around to all of your lovely blogs as yet. It was my intention to do a little blog reading whilst away, but the internet connection was just a little temperamental and after the first couple of days, I decided to take a break from it all and it was the best decision. It was truly relaxing and there was a very big part of me that loved it more than I would like to admit to myself. It did bring up many questions about how much time we spend on and with technology every day, but I kinda like it and it has been great to catch up on what you have all been up to, you are such an inspiration to me.

I intend to do a couple of posts to cover the holiday, really as a record for us, but also for the rest of my family to share. In the meantime, I am going to make the very most of the last couple of days with my little lovelies as school starts the middle of next week and yes my baby is starting school, so big changes ahead, not sure I am really ready for them to be honest.

We have done a little baking and little Es helped me to work through the jungle to pull up some lovely looking garlic, carrots and beans. We also indulged in one of our apples, which are a great deal tastier than anticipated, I love this element of surprise.

One of the first things I love to do is to fill the house with flowers from the garden. There is something very special about having flowers in the house and I so love this beautiful red rose of ours, its fragrance is beyond heavenly and there is something so magical about Angel's Blush, I love the way these beautiful clumps are shaped out of delicate white flowers. I fortunately managed to get a small posy of sweet peas for the house, but the next step is to get all the seeds for next year's planting.

The first photo was taken shortly after we arrived in Fauglia, Tuscany and was taken from the car. I absolutely love Sunflowers and have failed miserably this year with the ones we have planted, but even though the sunflower season was drawing to an end in Italy, we were fortunate enough to find this one field with perfect sunflowers dancing to sun, such a delight.

I will be back soon with a some goodies from our trip, and also to share the crafty bits that made the holiday even more enjoyable. A very big and warm welcome to my new followers, it is so lovely of you to stop by and I look forward to getting to know you a little better.

Hannapat I have so missed you whilst you have been away. I went to the Treacle Fair last week and wondered if you were there. Next time you are I am definitely going to treat you to a coffee and cake! I am so glad that your holiday was wonderful and that you were able to spend special time with you Mum and Dad, my lovely Dad hasn't been with me for quite a few years now and I still miss him every day. I am really looking forward to all your photographs, I have only been to Italy once before my husband became ill and I adored it, I will return there one day. Glad you are all home safely HannapatAll my love as alwaysDorothy:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lovely post Hannapat! I understand what you're saying about your lovely Mum and Dad - I so miss mine and think of them every day but sadly they both passed over several years ago. I know you'll make the best of every opportunity to have special time with your parents - time passes too quickly!I'm so glad to know your holiday worked out so well for all of you - love that field of sunflowers - and weeds seem to grow before your very eyes and more so when you turn your back!!! You'll soon catch up on them!Your veg and pretty flower pics are gorgeous Hannapat - what a beautiful colourful garden you have!Take good care of yourself and have a great weekend!Loving wishes,Joy xoxo

Thanks Joy, I am sure you must really miss them, I know I will one day. Time sure flies the older we get and yes these days are very precious. Thanks for your lovely comments, I so appreciate them xoxo

Welcome home sweetest Hannapat!! So glad you had such a lovely and beautiful time in Italy!! Sounds wonderful!! Looking forward to hearing more!! And, so glad you got to spend some quality time with your parents!! Have a lovely day dearest! xo Heather

I am also a newbie to your blog via Dorothy Griffiths.I was soo excited when the posting popped up. How wonderful to have such a good relationship with your Ma and Pa.Looking forward to the next chapter.

I was just wondering the other day how you were getting on with your holiday when I saw the lovely comments you left on my blog. Thanks for them. It means so much to read such kind thoughts. I truly understand about wanting to be with your parents more. I'm very lucky that my mum only lives 15 mins away from our house. I love spending as much time with her as I can. She is my best friend and supports me brilliantly through my illness. My kids think of her as their second mother and are really close to her too. Her house is their home from home and they insist that we stay over at least once a week which delights both of us. Glad you loved Italy. I was there when is was 19 and have always wanted to go back again. So I'm excited to see your posts about it. Rosie xx

Hello lovely Rosie, I so love your blog and I am so happy to hear that you have this wonderful relationship with your Mum. I am always a little envious of people who have their Mum's close by, it is such a gift and I am pleased to hear that you are making the very most of it. Sending you much love xoxo

Yuck, yes the washing, what a drag. We usually unpack before our brains can come to terms with it and that's most probably best. There is nothing like that first night back in your own bed, pure bliss. Thanks for your lovely comment Donna xoxo

It was so hard to read this blog! I just want to cry because I miss you all soo much! It was so fantastic - our wonderful holiday! Every one seems to be better than the last! we are so very blessed! Thank you, thank you! Your garden is looking just great. Ours was rather dry but with new spring flowers which is so rewarding. And an apple, wow! Quite something. The sunflowers are beautiful. Love you lots!

Welcome home! Sounds like you had a lovely time. I always love the smell of home when you first walk through the front door after a period of being away....even though it is soon taken over by the endless piles of washing and opening of Bills :-) Look forward to seeing some pics of your trip! Have a lovely weekend. Mel x

The time that you spend with your parents is always wonderful especially when they stay far away from you. I get to see my parents only twice a year, once when I visit them and the other when they come to see me but usually only my dad comes since my mother cannot travel long distances. Your garden is lovely.

Lovely pictures of your veggies and flowers! I'm is glad you had a lovely holiday and such happy times with your parents. After a holiday it's sometimes hard to pick up the normal routine again for a while, but that probably means the holiday has done you good!Wishing you a happy week, Hannapat!Helen x

You are so right, Tuscany is a beautiful part of the world and that sunflower photo sums it up so well. Lovely that you had that time with your parents, why on earth would you have wanted to be reading blogs?! You did the right thing! Welcome back! xxx

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Welcome to Cosmos and Cotton, I am so pleased you have stopped by and I hope you enjoy your time here. For this blog I am using Hannapat, the name my Mother called me when I was growing up and it holds a very special place in my heart. I am so blessed that we have a special bond. She has inspired me throughout my life and continue to do so even whilst being on the other side of the world.
I am happily married to a husband I adore and we have two wonderful children whom bring so much joy to our lives. I love spending time with them and being part of the journey in life. I love filling my days with moments of making or creating. I enjoy thrifting and finding little gems and there is nothing more rewarding than finding some old tat and turning it into something beautiful. A year and a half ago I started crocheting and it's fair to say that I am completely hooked!! I just wish there was more time to put yarn around my hook.
This blog is a diary of my life and I hope to share some fun and wonderful moments with you all. I have been so inspired by creative spirits and their blogs over the years and I hope I can return the favour. Hannapat